![\"ginkgo-bilbo-seizures\"](\"http:\/\/images1.blisstree.com\/files\/2010\/01\/ginkgo-bilbo-seizures.jpg\")
<\/p>\nI’ve said it before, the Ginkgo is a beautiful tree. It’s my favorite, actually. However, taking Ginkgo biloba supplements may not be the wisest thing to do.<\/p>\n
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In December, I wrote the post, Ginkgo Biloba Maybe Not So Effective<\/a><\/strong>, detailing the results from a large study that revealed the supplement doesn\u2019t prevent cognitive decline or improve memory in seniors.<\/p>\n Now, authors of a new report<\/a><\/strong> say that the popular herbal remedy may actually cause more seizures in people with epilepsy. According to the report, Ginkgo biloba could reduce the effectiveness of anti-seizure drugs.<\/p>\n The article by Eckhard Leistner and Christel Drewke was published in the American Chemical Society’s monthly Journal of Natural Products<\/a><\/em>. The authors also suggest that Ginkgo could have harmful effects in other people after they eat raw or roasted Ginkgo seed or drink tea prepared from Ginkgo leaves. They caution that Ginkgo biloba tea, in particular, could contain more of the herb than is recommended.<\/p>\n Scientists are mainly concerned with one chemical compound in Ginkgo biloba: a potentially toxic material called ginkgotoxin. They believe that ginkgotoxin may alter a chemical signaling pathway, triggering epileptic seizures. Leistner and Christel Drewke found 10 reports in scientific research indicating that patients with epilepsy face an increased risk of seizures when exposed to Ginkgo products.<\/p>\n While many people take Ginkgo biloba for conditions like memory loss, clinical depression and headache, the supplements do have some known side effects, such as nausea, gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, dizziness, or allergic skin reactions.<\/p>\n If you’re wondering whether Ginkgo biloba is right for you, talk with your doctor, especially if you take anti-seizure drugs.<\/p>\n (Image via iStock)<\/p>\n Post from: Blisstree<\/a><\/p>\n